Classic Old Fashioned (2024)

FAQs

What to say when ordering an Old Fashioned? ›

Start by saying the type of whisky you fancy, followed by any tweaks you want to make. It could be with a twist, an extra dash of bitters or syrup instead of sugar. Not sure where to start? Stick to a classic with our go-to order… 'Pour me an Old Fashioned with Ballantine's and an orange twist thanks'.

That's right, I used maple syrup instead of simple syrup. Historically, Old Fashioned co*cktails are made with a sugar cube or simple syrup. I'm here to tell you that they taste better with maple syrup, which complements bourbon's caramel notes and stirs in like a dream.

The classic way to make an Old Fashioned starts with placing a sugar cube at the bottom of a glass, adding a few dashes of bitters and a splash of water and muddling until it's completely dissolved. This is still a great option, but many people use simple syrup for ease and convenience.

The first whiskey old fashioned recipe was printed in 1895 in Modern American Drinks by George Kappeler. His recipe instructs the reader to dissolve a lump of sugar in water, add two dashes of bitters, a piece of ice, lemon-peel and one jigger whiskey.

Order your Old Fashioned in 1 sentence so that you can tell your bartender what you want quickly. Begin by saying what brand and type of whiskey you want, and end with any adjustments you are making to the drink. For example, “I'll have a Maker's Mark Old Fashioned, extra bitter.”

An Old Fashioned is a wise order if you want to ease your way into the world of dark liquors — but don't expect these to taste the same at every bar. Old Fashioneds are a classic bourbon-heavy co*cktail typically made with Angostura bitters, a sugar cube, and an orange peel.

Mix the co*cktail: Place the bourbon, simple syrup, and Angostura bitters in a mixing glass. Add the ice and stir with a bar spoon for 10 to 15 seconds. Strain the co*cktail: Strain the co*cktail into a rocks glass over one large ice cube, or cubed ice.

We use two or three dashes of Angostura bitters, which are sold in most liquor stores. A well-stocked store or a quick online search will give you a world of options for more varieties of of bitters. I also add some fruit.

Sugar softens the whiskey, tamping down the liquor's heat while creating a more viscous mouthfeel and allowing its subtler elements to shine through. Bitters temper the sugar's sweetness and help add depth of flavor that keeps the drink from becoming cloying.

Don't Forget the Orange Peel. Orange peel is filled with beautifully smelling orange oils that make a great addition to a simple Old Fashioned. As the very last step after the co*cktail has been made, use a vegetable peeler to get a 2 inch piece of peel from an orange.

How many dashes of bitters are in an Old Fashioned? ›

Add 2 bar spoons simple syrup to co*cktail glass. Add 3 dashes Angostura Aromatic Bitters and 3 dashes Orange Bitters. Add a large ice cube.

▸How many drops/dashes of bitters should I use in a drink? When creating our own co*cktails we always start with 2 dashes, or in our case 20-24 drops, of bitters for a co*cktail 6 oz or larger and then increase or decrease as we see fit.

How Long Do Bitters Last? While we hate to see a bottle of bitters collecting dust on your home bar they do last indefinitely. They are bottled at about 70 proof or 35% alcohol, so they are perfectly preserved. However, it is possible that the flavor will change over time.

There are few drinks manlier than an Old Fashioned. But the simple syrup in this staple (as well as co*cktails like a Whiskey Sour) isn't so simple, nutritionally speaking. “Just 1-ounce packs in over 5 teaspoons of added sugar,” Holthaus says. “And a 6-ounce Old Fashioned will cost you around 260 calories.”

As a general rule, it takes approximately 4-5 shots of whiskey for a person of average weight and metabolism to become intoxicated. However, it's always important to drink responsibly and in moderation.

Those who pick an Old Fashioned today are said to enjoy a more traditional way of life but still have an air of risk and challenge to their personality.

The Best Way to Order Drinks at a Bar

If you're getting a mixed drink, tell them the liquor type and mixer. If you're getting beer or wine, tell them the brand name and type. Have your payment ready and say, “Thank you.”

In the 13 May 1806, issue, the paper's editor wrote that it was a potent concoction of spirits, bitters, water, and sugar; it was also referred to at the time as a bittered sling.